Welcome Boarcrow. Glad to see yet another experienced person join the discussion. You're definitely right that we should exercise our brains and could probably survive on not much else. But, this site encompasses a lot more than that. True, there's a lot of gear review here, but for the most part it's honest and field-tested, and there's not any agenda behind the comments other than good old discussion and searching for the best in terms of performance, weight, and utility.

You have assumed quite a bit about the posts here. This site is read around the world. When making the comments, realize that not everyone lives with 5 miles of civilization in any direction, nor next to a lot of indiginous game. Plus not everyone is capable of surviving without at least "some" modern tools.

ETS is just what it says... Equipped To Survive. Sure, equipping the mind is the primary goal. But even then, tools conserve energy, can get you out of a serious jam fast, and even save your hide if you are injured. I'm thinking how hard it would be to build a shelter with a broken hand in a freezing blizzard without a tarp or cordage. Plus many folks (like myself) have others depending on them, so every minute and advantage could count in a real emergency.

I'm not sure how far back you've read, but there are certainly many conversations that go away from gear, to preparing your house, family, and making plans, and how to do things more primatively should your equipment fail you. You've got one thing right for sure... more of us could use the knowledge and practice of old-school methods. Just don't ask me to give up my Leatherman... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Again, welcome. I'm looking forward to you sharing some of your hard earned field knowledge!